Edinburgh United Industrial School; Shoemakers at Work

Category

Library Item

Item no

21899

Title

Edinburgh United Industrial School; Shoemakers at work

Description

A group of small boys sit on wooden stools in the Edinburgh United Industrial School. They are learning how to make shoes and are being supervised by a man wearing an apron who is sitting by the fireplace. The room is dimly lit by the fire and a candlestick. A door lies open to the right hand side.

Date

1851

Size

12 x 17.2cm

Type

Lithograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Edinburgh United Industrial School was founded in Blackfriar's Wynd, Edinburgh in 1847. Its purpose was to help homeless and neglected children by feeding them and teaching them a trade. The "United" Industrial School was unique in offering unsectarian education i.e. it took in Protestant and Catholic Children who were taught together for all subjects except religion. The boys were taught trades such as carpentry, tailoring, brush making and shoemaking whilst the girls learnt washing, cooking, knitting and household work.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Doors and doorways

Architecture > Architectural features > Fireplaces

Education > Educational facilities > Schools

People > Adults > Men

People > Children > Boys

Places > Edinburgh areas > Tollcross

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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